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OCCUPY! An Unfinished Uprising

OCCUPY! An Unfinished Uprising

Future Hindsight 425 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

This six-part narrative series from Future Hindsight explores the Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011, telling the story from the perspective of activists who camped out in a New York City park. It covers how the protest grew rapidly, felt chaotic and transcendent, and ended violently. The series argues that despite being labeled a failure, Occupy popularized the language of the '99%' and profoundly influenced American politics and activism.

Episodes

Guardian of Your Ballot: Cisco Aguilar
Guardian of Your Ballot: Cisco Aguilar Oct 8, 2026 37:19 We discuss the president’s meddling in universal mail in ballots, the stakes of the 2026 election, and election integrity in Nevada.Cisco’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:  Check your voter registration status VOTE on or before November 3, 2026 Cisco Aguilar serves as Nevada’s Secretary of State as well as the Chair for the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State.Let’s co
Free Market Capitalism Erodes Democracy: Mordecai Kurz
Free Market Capitalism Erodes Democracy: Mordecai Kurz Oct 1, 2026 40:26 We discuss the transformation of free market capitalism into a techno-winner-take-all system. Reaganomics and advances in technology have supercharged the market power of corporations and created immense private power. Both of these have increased economic inequality, which causes political inequality and threatens democracy.Mordecai’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:   Be suppor
The PR Machine is Destroying Reality: Amy Westervelt
The PR Machine is Destroying Reality: Amy Westervelt Sep 24, 2026 50:43 We discuss how the interlocking web of public relations, think tanks, and university research funding by private actors and corporations have polluted the information ecosphere. Warping the truth is destroying reality and eroding democracy.  Amy’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:  Be a trusted source of information and get off social media! Be a missionary for good civic action A
Our Constitution, Our Laws: Julie Suk
Our Constitution, Our Laws: Julie Suk Sep 17, 2026 40:50 We discuss an innovative framework to reclaim our constitutional future from a Supreme Court that has amassed power for itself and undermined how we govern ourselves.  Julie’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:  Advocate for new institutions Participate in deliberations to write a new bill of rights or even a new constitution Julie Suk is the Leonard F. Manning Professor of Law at
Take Down Super PACs: Lawrence Lessig
Take Down Super PACs: Lawrence Lessig Sep 10, 2026 46:21 We discuss how the SpeechNow v. FEC decision in 2010 created Super PACs and how combating corruption in American politics starts with getting rid of Super PACs. Larry’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:  Build the muscle of deliberating with each other. Start with the principle that we should not have a political system where people can buy influence and get results with their mon
Build Power by Organizing: Michael Ansara
Build Power by Organizing: Michael Ansara Sep 3, 2026 43:36 We discuss the basics of organizing and the fruits of that work. Michael reminds us that “organizers organize organizations.”Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:  Gather 4-5 friends to talk about what’s happening Share ideas on what you can do to resist  Michael Ansara is a seasoned community organizer and the author of The Hard Work of Hope: A Memoir.Let’s connect! Follow
Be a Practical Radical: Stephanie Luce
Be a Practical Radical: Stephanie Luce Aug 27, 2026 39:31 Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/Listen to Occupy! An Unfinished Uprising:  https://www.futurehindsight.com/occupyFollow Mila on X: https://x.com/milaatmosFollow Stephanie on X: https://x.com/stephanie_luce_Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: https://www.futurehindsight.com/sparkEarly episodes for Patreon supporters:https://pa
Who is the Working Families Party?: Maurice Mitchell
Who is the Working Families Party?: Maurice Mitchell Aug 20, 2026 49:07 We discuss why now is the time for a third political party to really take center stage in American democracy.Maurice’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:  Organize! Join an organization. Create conditions where people can govern and decide the direction of their country and their democracy Maurice Mitchell is the National Director of the Working Families Party. He's a nationally-re
Episode 6: You Can't Evict an Idea
Episode 6: You Can't Evict an Idea Aug 13, 2026 42:28 In the middle of the night, the police move in to raid the encampment. What follows is chaotic, emotional, and unforgettable. But the story doesn't end when the tents come down. Former occupiers reflect on the movement's surprising legacy, the political forces it helped unleash, and what its successes and failures can teach us about organizing in an age of rising authoritarianism.Want to
Episode 5: The Question of Safety
Episode 5: The Question of Safety Aug 6, 2026 38:27 As the weather gets colder and tents go up, life inside the encampment grows more complicated. Questions of safety and accountability become increasingly urgent, but occupiers have wildly different ways of responding to the problems. It turns out that the movement's greatest strength—its openness—may also be its greatest vulnerability.Want to dive deeper? Listen to these episodes of Futur
Episode 4: They Walk Among Us
Episode 4: They Walk Among Us Jul 30, 2026 40:13 A month in, the Occupy movement goes global, but pressure is mounting from every direction. A hipster cop confirms that police have infiltrated. Rumors of sabotage are circulating. The authorities want to kick the occupiers out. The movement is able to win a major victory—but even the most committed activists are starting to get worn out.Want to dive deeper? Listen to these episodes of Fu
Episode 3: A Fork in the Road
Episode 3: A Fork in the Road Jul 23, 2026 43:27 When a march reaches the Brooklyn Bridge, a split-second decision changes everything. Hundreds of people face arrest – and deeper questions emerge about the power dynamics and strategy within the movement. How can they contain the chaos of an ever-growing, leaderless movement? And should Occupy work with politicians and celebrities, or remain fiercely independent? Want to dive deeper? Lis

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